Action lessons from Acts

My book has exercises at the end of each chapter. Today I’m challenged to use Acts to list ways my church can enrich and expand its ministry. Not looking at what individual leaders did, this is what I found for myself along with the other Christians that attend out local church.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4–5) Do not move ahead until filled with the Holy Spirit!

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) Ask God about everything that concerns us!

And they put forward two . . . And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship . . . .” (Acts 1:23–25) Pray for and follow God’s will when putting people in leadership!

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:4–6) Rely on the Holy Spirit for our verbal witness to others so they understand what we are saying. This is not so much about tongues, but about clarity!

“ . . . hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him . . . this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it . . . .” (Acts 2:22–25) Use the Scriptures to answer criticism and to tell others about Jesus!

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people . . . . (Acts 2:42–47) Make the Word of God, prayer, and the people of God the focus, the most important part of life!

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:23–30) When threatened, pray for boldness from God and continue to share His Word!

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common . . . And great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them . . . (Acts 4:32–34) Take care of each other!

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Oh my. Lord Jesus, just four chapters surprise me with the lessons for the church from the book of Acts. I don’t manage our local church, but You do. Enable me to be all that I can to do my part and encourage others as well. This is dynamic! This is a small sample of what You have called Your church to be and to do!